Former Newcastle United defender and match summariser for BBC Radio Newcastle John Anderson tells us his starting XI for tonight's game with PSG.
He said: "If Bruno [Guimaraes] is fit he plays but we will go with the assumption that he isn't going to be fit."
Anderson reckons Nick Woltemade will get the nod over Yoane Wissa up front.
You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Premier League striker Chris Sutton says he backs Paris St-Germain to win the Champions League, despite the holders not being guaranteed a finish in the top eight of the league phase before Wednesday's visit from Newcastle.
"Both teams are aiming to avoid the play-off and those extra games," he told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast. "Newcastle have a lot of injuries.
"If you remember back to last season, Paris St-Germain finished 15th in the Champions League but it's not how you start - it's how you finish.
"It does feel a bit similar this season. They went back to top of Ligue 1 at the weekend, but they've slipped up a few times in the Champions League and still have work to do.
"I still fancy PSG to go on and win the Champions League though. Just as last season, they will build up a head of steam and be the team to beat in this competition."
The success the Magpies have enjoyed in the Champions League has at times provided an escape from a mixed domestic season.
"With a lot of Newcastle players, they have enjoyed Europe this season more than the league," Sutton added.
"For Anthony Gordon, it's a contrast of two Premier League goals and six in the Champions League. It's a bit of a head-scratcher.
"He's played OK in the Premier league and Eddie Howe's side have done OK.
"But, his squad is really stretched at the moment in time and the likes of Gordon will have to step up this evening."
Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist
Victory against sixth-placed PSG would elevate Newcastle into the top four –ensuring a second leg at home in the last 16 and quarter-finals – if two of Real Madrid, Liverpool and Tottenham slip up.
Regardless, a win for Newcastle will surely be enough for the top eight. To displace them, at least three other sides currently on the same points would need victories by improbable scorelines.
The Magpies have little margin for error though as, realistically, they're in catching range of nine sides (not 10, as Dortmund play Inter so can't both overtake Newcastle). A draw would leave them relying on only one of the chasing pack winning – or two if Tottenham lose – while defeat would make it unrealistic for Eddie Howe's side to stay in the top eight.
Newcastle have all but guaranteed a top-16 finish.
Did you know?
Newcastle have only won three away games from 14 in all competitions this season, meaning it will be a big ask against the champions in Paris.
In Anthony Gordon (six) and Harvey Barnes (five), Newcastle have two of the top eight scorers in the competition.
Image source, Getty ImagesKey PSG players - Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha
Dembele won the 2025 Ballon d'Or after 35 goals in 53 appearances last season. A number of fitness issues have disrupted his current season, but he has started to show promising signs once again with five goals in his last five starts.
Dembele was also linked with Newcastle in January 2022 while struggling at Barcelona. He also tweeted 'what a player' about former Newcastle forward Ayoze Perez in 2014 after a goal he scored against Everton.
Another one to watch is Vitinha, who was on loan at Wolves five years ago but has made remarkable progress since. Spurs boss Thomas Frank predicted he would win the Ballon d'Or in 2026 after a hat-trick in a 5-3 win over Spurs earlier this campaign.
PSG squad summary
The Ligue 1 side have an elite young squad. They've fielded two of the five youngest XIs in this year's competition. Star midfielder Joao Neves has missed the last three matches with 'muscle discomfort'.
Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesAnthony Gordon sensed the question was coming at the Parc des Princes.
Although the Newcastle United forward has not scored a goal from open play in the Premier League for more than a year, he has already netted six goals in the Champions League this season.
Why has his record been so radically different in Europe?
Gordon was the first to admit that even he did not have an answer to that on an evening the 24-year-old insisted he "didn't care for people's opinion".
But, clearly, the England international needs no added incentive to step up on the big stage.
"I'd be lying if I said it didn't bring out some extra motivation or adrenaline," he acknowledged at a news conference on the eve of his side's Champions League game against Paris St-Germain.
Newcastle won't be lacking motivation as a whole in the French capital.
Eddie Howe's team could secure an automatic place in the last 16 with a famous victory as they look to end their dismal run on the road.
Newcastle will be without midfield powerhouse Joelinton, who is set to be sidelined for a few weeks with a groin issue, but captain Bruno Guimaraes could return after shaking off an ankle issue.
It is a night Newcastle will need Guimaraes, Gordon and others to sparkle.
"Look at the teams we're playing against," Howe added as his side embark on a run of gruelling games at the Parc des Princes, Anfield and the Etihad in the space of just a week and a half.
"A huge physical demand, a huge mental test. We will find out a lot about ourselves in the next few days.
"Hopefully positive, because we've got to respond and for me we've got to trust the squad as well. This is a big week for the squad to step up and really show its worth."
Image source, Getty ImagesAnthony Gordon has impressed for Newcastle in this season's Champions League campaign as the Magpies head into the final league-phase game sitting in seventh position.
The English forward has featured in every European game for Newcastle in the campaign and boasts an impressive six goals.
In the news conference before Newcastle's clash with Paris St-Germain, Gordon said he knows he is "doing the right things every day" as he becomes an integral part in Eddie Howe's team.
"I try to do the right things whether I'm flying or not doing the best," he said. "I'm playing against right-backs who are elite themselves. They get paid quite well to stop me."
The 24-year-old has now been directly involved in eight goals in the Champions League for Newcastle (six goals, two assists). Only Kylian Mbappe (11) and Harry Kane (7) have more goals this season.
Gordon has also equalled club legend Alan Shearer's club-record of a six-goal tally for the Magpies in the competition.
"Part of trying to be great is learning to take people's opinions. If you can't, you can never be great," said Gordon.
Listen to full commentary of Paris St-Germain v Newcastle on Wednesday from 20:00 GMT on BBC Sounds
George Booth
BBC Sport journalist
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League game against Paris St-Germain at Parc des Princes (kick-off 20:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Howe confirmed Joelinton would not "make the game" due to injury and that the Brazil international would be going for another scan.
On the midfielder, Howe said: "We think he will be out for a few weeks. He is going for another opinion to see we're on the right lines with that."
Newcastle skipper, Bruno Guimaraes is also a doubt for the Champions League clash after he missed the defeat to Aston Villa due to injury. Howe confirmed Guimaraes' availability would be known "in the next few hours".
Howe said the opportunity to play at the Parc des Princes was "another great experience" for his Newcastle side. He added: "You want to experience all the highs and lows that the competitions bring. You're seeking that experience, but you're seeking that reward at the end of it."
The last time Newcastle visited Paris St-Germain in 2023 a "controversial" penalty was awarded in the final minute of the game, which Kylian Mbappe scored to level the game 1-1. Howe said "the incident at the end is well-known", but he was still "proud of the performance overall".
On the Magpies' away form, Howe said: "The bigger the game, the harder the challenge, the more you must rise to it. There have been several questions asked about our away form, to handle pressure, to be resilient. This will be a really good game to try and answer some questions and be effective in every environment that we play. We will set up the team to do that and then will need them to play at their maximum."
Follow all of Tuesday's Champions League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Listen to full commentary of Paris St-Germain v Newcastle on Wednesday from 20:00 GMT on BBC Sounds
Charlotte Robson
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesI've written quite a lot about Bruno Guimaraes both in this column and in general (diaries, group chats, graffiti), and I'm simply not going to stop.
Newcastle lost this weekend. You probably already know that. The next layer of that is that Newcastle lost without Bruno in the side, after he suffered an injury midweek against PSV. Since he joined us, Bruno has missed 11 league games. We didn't win any of them.
I am not a superstitious person. A friend will only go into St James' Park through one specific turnstile; she won't sit down until the stadium announcer says 'enjoy the game!'. That's not me. But it is getting harder and harder to deny the effect Bruno has on this squad, not just from a technical footballing perspective but from a mentality point of view also.
Many times this season, I've seen him pull the team up by their bootstraps and get us back into games. Winning seems to deeply matter to him. After a League Cup win in 2022 against Crystal Palace, he refused to smile in the team photo because he'd missed his penalty.
But! We have to find a way to win without him, because the longer this goes on, the more the Bruno Effect will snowball. It will get under the skin of the players and the fans. Maybe it already has.
Much could be written about the coaching staff and their role in this. The lack of plan. The predictable substitutions. Much will be written about that! Likely by me (diaries, group chats, graffiti). For now, we have to hope he comes back into the side soon, because we have a tough run of away games coming up, starting with European champions PSG on Wednesday. I don't want to rush a player back from injury, but I do want to compete. I know Bruno wants that too.
Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external
Newcastle defender Jamal Lascelles has been told he can leave the club if the right deal is found. (Chronicle), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column
We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Newcastle United and Aston Villa.
Here are some of your comments:
Newcastle fans
Barry: Frustrating game. Score line flatters Villa, but Martinez was player of the match by a country mile. We've got to start being more direct - no point in high press if you waste it by constantly passing across midfield.
Paul: It's all well winning in Europe against teams from lesser leagues but as soon as we play good quality Prem teams we aren't up to it! Can't help but feel we squandered our money in the summer transfer window and this has affected our ability to compete at the top level.
Leon: I think Howe's time has come. He has done great things for the club but his tactics are outdated and conservative, befitting of a relegation threatened team. It lacks ambition and never seems to use the squad to its fullest. And hey, change seemed to work for United and Chelsea.
Trevor: Poor performance today, some poor crosses in from out wide. Eddie needs to look at his tactics because Premier League teams have worked out our current way of playing.
Villa fans
Colin: Outstanding performance when you consider how thin our squad is and after playing a tough game Thursday. Emery is a genius!
Andrew: Great win. Great performance. Thought Ollie Watkins was a personification of what Villa are all about. They are showing a resilience/bouncebackability that wasn't there before (under Emery). Believe boys. Just believe. See where it takes you.
Mark: Great professional display today by everyone in a claret and blue shirt. Unai has done amazing things with the means he has. A few more signings and some money and he could elevate us to places that all Villa fans dream off. Come on you Lions UTV.
Anthony: Great game of football from two teams. Villa wanted the win more. Martinez comfortable saves. Outstanding goals from Watkins and Buendia. Aston Villa are outstanding.
Pundits Wayne Rooney and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.
And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesA frustrated Bruno Guimaraes could only watch on from his box with his family on Sunday.
The Newcastle captain was not risked for this game after hobbling off with an ankle injury in Wednesday's Champions League win against PSV Eindhoven.
And his side's struggles without him continued.
Newcastle, remarkably, have never won a Premier League match without their talisman in the starting line-up since he made his full debut nearly four years ago.
Not only does Guimaraes bring so much to this side with his tenacity and leadership, he has also developed a habit of stepping up time and time again at St James' Park.
Already this season, there have been openers against Crystal Palace, Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest, an equaliser against Leeds United and a 90th-minute winner against Fulham.
This was a game when Newcastle were crying out for a similar intervention, particularly during a frustrating second half, where they failed to seriously trouble Emiliano Martinez as the hosts attempted to get back into the game.
Newcastle hope Guimaraes could return for Wednesday's Champions League game at Paris St-Germain and they will certainly need him, particularly after countryman Joelinton limped off with a groin issue against Aston Villa.
Newcastle boss, Eddie Howe, spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's defeat by Aston Villa: "The first-minute chance really shapes the game. Sandro [Tonali] goes through and it is a top save. Then Aston Villa were probably the better team in that first half and had a number of long shots and scored from one. I thought we chased the game pretty well in the second half and are disappointed we have lost the game.
"There were some real positives. It was Sven Botman's best game since returning from injury, good cameo's from Jacob Ramsey and Anthony Elanga and Lewis Miley played really well again but ultimately you lose 2-0 at home and we are disappointed. We know we can be better around their box. I thought our final ball was poor today.
"The big thing for us is that we need every available body and quality body available because obviously we lost Bruno [Guimaraes] before the game and then Joelinton. I think Bruno could be the only one back in contention for Wednesday.
Howe also spoke to Sky Sports on Joelinton's injury: "He felt his groin. We don't know how serious that is."
Did you know?
Joelinton has been booked 52 times in the Premier League for Newcastle - the joint-most of any player for the club alongside Cheick Tioté. Since joining the Magpies in July 2019, only James Tarkowski (54) has picked up more bookings overall in the competition.
Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Newcastle's performance
What did you make of Aston Villa's display?
Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies
Image source, BBC SportInjured captain Bruno Guimaraes misses out as Newcastle United make one change for the visit of Aston Villa.
Guimaraes has not been named in the squad after coming off with an ankle issue in the 3-0 win against PSV Eindhoven midweek. Lewis Miley replaces the Brazilian in the side.
Newcastle XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Miley, Tonali, Joelinton, Barnes, Wissa, Gordon
Subs:Ramsdale, Osula, Elanga, Woltemade, Willock, Burn, A.Murphy, Ramsey, Shahar
Emiliano Martinez returns as Aston Villa make five changes for the trip to St James' Park.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen and Amadou Onana all come back in following the 1-0 victory against Fenerbahce.
Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen, Onana, Tielemans, Sancho, Rogers, Buendia, Watkins
Subs: Bizot, Lindelof, Digne, Mings, Bogarde, Hemmings, Bailey, Elliott, Guessand.
There are four games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
Brentford v Nottingham Forest - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2
Crystal Palace v Chelsea - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Newcastle v Aston Villa - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Arsenal v Man Utd (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Kick-off times 14:00 GMT unless stated
Follow all of the action and reaction from the three 14:00 games here
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Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds
Aston Villa's home defeat by Everton last week showed again how difficult it is to make predictions this season.
Villa had won their past 11 home games before then, and had been pretty dominant against Everton in the league in recent seasons too. I was extremely confident they would win to keep the pressure on Arsenal... and I was wrong!
Now? Well, Unai Emery's side have a long trip to Turkey in the Europa League before this game and they have a few injuries to contend with too. John McGinn and Boubacar Kamara will be badly missed and I am slightly concerned about their options up front now Donyell Malen has left.
That's why I'm backing Newcastle here. They are so strong in midfield but they are especially good at home - I always fancy them to win at St James' Park.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist
Newcastle United and Aston Villa will both be looking to bounce back after disappointing Premier League results last weekend when they meet at St James' Park on Sunday (14:00 GMT).
Newcastle were unable to find a breakthrough against bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers in a 0-0 draw, continuing their woes on the road this season. On home soil, they have been much more effective and will be boosted by a 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League in midweek.
Qualification for the Europa League knockout stage was the positive from a rough week for Aston Villa. Their 11-game home winning run was ended by Everton last weekend, and they then received the brutal news that key midfielder Boubacar Kamara is set to miss the rest of the season through injury.
Woltemade and Wissa still strangers
Although Newcastle have been strong at home this season, much of their attacking output lately has come from midfield and wide areas.
Bruno Guimaraes, who is a doubt for this game because of an ankle injury, is their leading league scorer with eight goals and would be a huge miss. Newcastle have never won a top-flight match he has missed.
Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa are the main striker options, but both have found life difficult domestically.
Since Wissa made his debut after recovering full fitness, Newcastle have lacked a consistent focal point up front. He has managed just one goal in the top flight so far, while Woltemade has scored in only one of his past 14 games – a brace in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea.
Wissa was impressive on his Champions League debut in midweek, grabbing a goal and an assist in the win over PSV, and could earn another start this weekend as a result.
Could Eddie Howe potentially pair the duo in an attempt to spark them both into life? At this stage, it appears unlikely. Remarkably, of the 268 minutes Wissa has played in the Premier League for Newcastle so far, Woltemade has been on the pitch for none of them.
Villa face critical moment as midfield falls apart
After the week they have endured, it feels as though Villa's campaign has reached a defining stage.
Not only will they be without the imperious Kamara for the foreseeable future, but captain and driving force John McGinn is also facing a spell on the sidelines after his injury against Everton.
Amadou Onana returned as a substitute against Fenerbahce on Thursday but the lack of midfield options appears to be having a knock-on effect in attack too. Morgan Rogers had six shots against Everton, his most in a game for Villa without scoring, and he has now had more shots than any player (15) since Christmas without a goal.
Villa had scored in 10 consecutive Premier League games before travelling to Crystal Palace. They have now failed to score in their last two and the sale of Donyell Malen leaves Ollie Watkins as the only senior striker.
Even with a fully-fit squad, Villa do not relish trips to Newcastle. The Magpies have not lost to Villa in their last 17 home league meetings, winning the last four at St James' Park by an aggregate score of 13-1.
